Cala Alcaufar (Menorca): how to get there and what to see

Cala Alcaufar is one of those sea inlets in south-east Menorca that still hold the air of a fishing village: whitewashed houses with boat sheds right at the water's edge, a narrow, sheltered creek, and an islet sitting right at the mouth that shields it from the open sea. It sits in the municipality of Sant Lluís, about 8 km from Maó, next to the S'Algar development. It is neither an unspoilt cove nor a postcard sandy beach, but it has something that is scarce in August: few crowds and calm water for most of the summer.

Where it is and what it's like

You are at the far south-east tip of the island, the Sant Lluís area, a run of coves and creeks that faces south. Alcaufar is a long, narrow inlet, wedged between two low slopes, with the houses spread along its sides. The beach is small, sand mixed with some rock, at the head of the inlet. What really defines it are two things: the islet of Alcaufar (illot d'Alcaufar), a small island right in the mouth that breaks the swell and keeps the inner sheet of water almost always still, and the 18th-century defence tower that watches over the entrance from above, one of the British towers that dot this stretch of coast.

With no large beach, Alcaufar never filled up with parasols. It is still a place for locals, with little boats moored and quiet swims. That is exactly its appeal.

How to get to Cala Alcaufar

By car. This is the most direct option. From Maó you take the Sant Lluís road and then the turn-off towards Alcaufar–S'Algar; it is about 8 km and less than a quarter of an hour. There is parking next to the village, though in July and August, by mid-morning, it gets tricky as it does all over the island: if you can, arrive early or come late in the afternoon.

On foot along the Camí de Cavalls. Alcaufar is a good point on the historic path that rings Menorca (the GR-223). The stage that links this part of the south-east passes through here, so you can walk in from the neighbouring villages or use the cove as the start or end of a leg. It is a coastal walk, with no big climbs in this section, with sea views almost the whole way. Bring water and a hat: natural shade is scarce along much of the route.

By sea. From the water, Alcaufar makes more sense: the outline of the tower, the islet in the mouth and the houses at the head of the inlet form a picture that stays hidden from land. This whole south-eastern strip —Sant Lluís, S'Algar, Punta Prima, the Illa de l'Aire— is a coast of caves and creeks that looks quite different when you sail slowly, close to the shore.

If what you are after is getting to know the south coast from the sea aboard a Menorcan llaüt, you can see the options on our boat routes along the south of Menorca. We set off from the port of Es Canutells and each day's course is set by the sea and the wind, so I won't promise you a particular cove: the skipper decides as we go what is safe and what is worth it.

What you'll find

A sheltered inlet, with clear, shallow water near the shore, ideal for a quiet swim. The bottom mixes sand and rock; it is along the side walls of the inlet and around the islet where snorkelling gets interesting, with stone, seaweed and rock fish. Don't expect the open posidonia beds of the unspoilt coves in the west, but for a mask and snorkel in the mid-morning it does the job and more.

As for facilities, Alcaufar is modest and that is part of its character: there is the odd restaurant and beach bar in season, but it is not a beach kitted out with sunbeds and rows of parasols. Natural shade is scarce, so it pays to bring your own parasol if you are spending the day. Given its size, it fills up early at the height of summer.

Best time to go and tips

From June to September the water is welcoming, but that is also when there are most people; early in the morning you have it much more to yourself. May, June and September are rewarding months: good temperature, water that is already inviting and fewer heads in the sea.

This is a coast exposed to the south, so with southerly or easterly winds the sea comes in and clouds up the swimming; with the tramuntana (north wind), on the other hand, it stays sheltered and flat. If you are going to walk the Camí de Cavalls, avoid the middle of the day in July and August. And respect the surroundings: the defence tower is historic heritage, and the islet and the walls of the inlet are an area of sensitive seabeds —don't pull anything up or leave any trace.

Nearby coves

A short way off, from S'Algar, runs the path that drops down through the Barranc de Rafalet to Cala Rafalet, a creek wedged between cliffs, unspoilt and with no road access: the perfect contrast to Alcaufar's village feel. To the south, at the tip of Sant Lluís, lies Punta Prima, an open sandy beach facing the Illa de l'Aire and its lighthouse.

To place Alcaufar within the wider southern coastline, take a look at the guide to the coves of southern Menorca, and if you want the full map of the island, the guide to the coves of Menorca.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to Cala Alcaufar? By car from Maó along the Sant Lluís road and the Alcaufar–S'Algar turn-off, about 8 km. Also on foot along the Camí de Cavalls (GR-223), which passes through the cove, or by sea.

Is there parking at Cala Alcaufar? Yes, there is parking next to the village, but in July and August it fills up by mid-morning. The easiest thing is to arrive early or late in the afternoon.

Is Cala Alcaufar good for snorkelling? For simple snorkelling, yes. The best of it is along the side walls of the inlet and around the islet at the mouth, with a rocky bottom and fish. The centre is sandier and shallow.

Is Cala Alcaufar unspoilt or built up? It is not unspoilt: it keeps its fishing-village core with houses and boat sheds. Even so it is far less crowded than the big sandy beaches of the south.

What are the islet and the tower at Cala Alcaufar? The islet (illot d'Alcaufar) closes off the mouth and protects the inner water. The tower, from the 18th century, is a British-era defence tower that watched over this coast.